Osasuna have sacked coach Petar Vasiljevic following his failure to keep the club in La Liga.

The 46-year-old Serbian took up the reins in January, replacing Joaquin Caparros, but could only guide the Pamplona outfit to a 19th-place finish.

A statement from the club on Wednesday afternoon read: "Club Atletico Osasuna has decided to dispense with the services of Petar Vasiljevic, who in the season that has just concluded occupied the positions of sporting director and coach."

Barcelona blitzed Osasuna with four goals in 10 second-half minutes to temporarily move three points clear at the top of La Liga with a 7-1 victory at the Camp Nou.

Luis Enrique rested several of his regular starters, including Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba -- an understandable move following gruelling matches against Juventus and Real Madrid, and before the weekend's derby at Espanyol.

It seemed it would not matter much after Lionel Messi struck early and Andre Gomes extended the lead...

Osasuna manager Petar Vasiljevic has said that his side will need extra help to stop Lionel Messi when La Liga's bottom club travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona on Wednesday.

Messi's last-minute winner against Real Madrid in the Clasico left a lasting impression upon Vasiljevic, who has called on his players to show no fear, despite knowing that defeat to Barcelona could see them all but relegated.

"I've already said that we need a plan for Messi and the players told me [that we...